Verizon Deploying 100G Network From Paris To Frankfurt

In a networking breakthrough, Verizon Communications said Thursday it is establishing a pioneering 100G Ethernet network for the IP backbone of a 555-mile network route. Ethernet 100G networks have been in trial for several months, but the Verizon installation appears to be the first commercial deployment.

The network, from Paris to Frankfurt, also uses advanced routers from Juniper Networks and Ciena’s 100G Ethernet coherent optical transport solution. In updating the network, Juniper will supply Ethernet router upgrades, which will be linked with Ciena’s existing 100G optical technology.

“The continuing deployment of 100G technology is critical to support the traffic growth in the Verizon IP network driven by the emerging demand for wireless and video applications,” said Ihab Tarazi, Verizon’s vice president of global planning, who added that the next-generation technology is needed to meet the growing demand for both wired and wireless broadband devices.

Several networking vendors have been conducting 100G tests and trials, but in a telephone interview, Verizon spokeswoman Lynn Staggs said: "We believe we are the first. We have plans to deploy (this technology) in other parts of the world. It's on our roadmap for the U.S., too."

While portions of the technology have been around for some time, the Paris-Frankfurt network marks the first in which vendors are working to piece them together in a working commercial network. Nicole Anderson, a Ciena spokeswoman, noted that Ciena had used its products to fit the Paris-Frankfurt network with 100G optical networking technology months ago. She added that Ciena’s acquisition of a Nortel Networks unit and its technology last year has helped Ciena gain traction in the 100G market. At the same time, Philippe Morin, senior vice president of Ciena’s global products group, noted that its field-proven experience with the technology is enabling it to provide reliable and simple network upgrades to 40G and 100G.

The network’s third piece -- the Ethernet 100G routers -- is being provided by Juniper Networks, whose Stefan Dyckerhoff said in a blog that Juniper’s “T Series Core Routers will play a key role in enabling 100G Ethernet connections between routers on its IP network. Juniper is the only vendor currently shipping a standards-based 100G IP/MPLS interface.” Dyckerhoff is Juniper’s executive vice president and general manager of the firm’s Infrastructure Products Group.

Verizon has also been upgrading its wireless network in anticipation of the debut of its robust LTE in 38 cities by the end of the year in the U.S.

SEE ALSO:

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Ciena Eyes Nortel's Ethernet Unit

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